CVE-2022-49288·Kernel vulnerability
In the Linux kernel, the following vulnerability has been resolved: ALSA: pcm: Fix races among concurrent prealloc proc writes We have no protection against concurrent PCM buffer preallocation changes via proc files, and it may potentially lead to UAF or some weird problem. This patch applies the PCM open_mutex to the proc write operation for avoiding the racy proc writes and the PCM stream open (and further operations).
- Severity
- high
- Software
- Kernel
- Fixed in
- 5.17.1
- Published
- 2025-02-26
Affected versions
From: 5.17
Until: 5.17.1
Fixed in: 5.17.1
How to fix this CVE
Update your Linux kernel to version 5.17.1 or later to resolve a race condition in ALSA PCM buffer preallocation. This vulnerability allows concurrent proc file writes to bypass synchronization mechanisms, potentially causing use-after-free conditions. Patch your kernel immediately, especially on systems running 5.17.0.
sudo dnf update kernel kernel-develDefensia detects this vulnerability
How to check if you are affected
- Run 'uname -r' to check the current kernel version. Vulnerable versions are 5.17.0 through 5.17.1-rc1.
- Check if ALSA sound subsystem is compiled into the kernel: 'grep CONFIG_SND /boot/config-$(uname -r)' — if set to 'y' or 'm', ALSA is present.
- Review /proc/asound/ directory for active PCM devices: 'ls -la /proc/asound/card*/pcm*' — the vulnerability affects concurrent writes to prealloc proc files.
- Verify kernel version has been updated to 5.17.1+: 'uname -r' should show version 5.17.1 or higher, and confirm with 'cat /proc/version'.
FAQ
What is CVE-2022-49288?
This vulnerability is a race condition in the Linux kernel's ALSA (Advanced Linux Sound Architecture) PCM subsystem where concurrent writes to proc files for buffer preallocation lack proper synchronization, enabling potential use-after-free memory corruption.
Is CVE-2022-49288 being actively exploited?
No, this CVE is not currently being actively exploited in the wild according to CISA KEV data, and no public exploits are available. However, the high CVSS score (7.8) warrants immediate patching.
What versions of Kernel are affected by CVE-2022-49288?
Linux kernel versions 5.17.0 through 5.17.1-rc1 are vulnerable. Versions prior to 5.17.0 and 5.17.1 final release and later are not affected.
How do I check if my server is vulnerable to CVE-2022-49288?
Execute 'uname -r' and verify the output. If it shows 5.17.0 or early 5.17.1-rc versions, your system is vulnerable. Cross-reference with 'grep CONFIG_SND /boot/config-$(uname -r)' to confirm ALSA is enabled.
Does Defensia detect CVE-2022-49288?
Yes — Defensia's CVE advisory scanner compares installed package versions against the NVD database. If Kernel is installed on a monitored server, CVE-2022-49288 will appear in your dashboard with remediation steps.
Related Kernel CVEs
References
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/37b12c16beb6f6c1c3c678c1aacbc46525c250f7
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/51fce708ab8986a9879ee5da946a2cc120f1036d
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/5ed8f8e3c4e59d0396b9ccf2e639711e24295bb6
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/69534c48ba8ce552ce383b3dfdb271ffe51820c3
- https://git.kernel.org/stable/c/a21d2f323b5a978dedf9ff1d50f101f85e39b3f2
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